If you were diagnosed as an adult via NHS...?

[Whoevenlikestomatoes]

How did you approach the conversation with your GP? What kind of questions were asked and what did you have prepared to have the conversation (or would you have done in hindsight)?

So far I've got a list of all my traits that coincide with a autism charity but also have ADHD traits I've found from a separate charity. My GP is very dismissive of everything so I'd like to be prepared for it.

Bump

Ask to see a different GP if possible then, see if there is a mental health specialist, or neurodiversity friendly one.

I made a list, just spoke about the biggest points that affected me the most/worst and got the referral from there. It wasn't a long appointment with the GP to be honest.

I filled in a version if the AQ10 I found online and took that along with my list of reasons to the GP

I didn't, I self referred to adult autism service, my GP wasn't involved. Check what's available in your area first. At the very least you should be able to tell the GP or Adult Autism Service why you want to be diagnosed as they usually want a reason further than "to understand myself" to use the funding on an adult who presumably (to them) has got so far in life without needing a diagnosis.

Thanks @IzyWinters, I'll check it out. Did you have to pay for it? Unfortunately I don't have the funds to pay for x2 tests.

According to the NICE guidelines, I'm meant to be doing questionnaires but the one for autism seems really short and seems to discount the fact that women tend to mask better, can read people a bit easier and not always with a special interest, etc. Although to counter the social aspects, my anxiety is through the roof before, during and after social interactions.

Sorry the "Did you have to pay for it? Unfortunately I don't have the funds to pay for x2 tests", was aimed at @EverySporkIsSacred.

No I didn't need to pay for it. I meant that the GP or AAS want to know why they should spend NHS funding on you.

I self-referred and one of the reasons I gave was that my lack of social skills was adversely affecting my job as I'd been the subject of complaints at work. Another reason I gave was being the victim of repeated sexual assaults because of basically not understanding that "coffee" doesn't always mean a hot beverage made by steeping ground beans in freshly-boiled water and not being able to detect or act on red-flag male behaviour.

So by self refer is that Right to Choose or just approaching the GP and asking them to refer? I might be missing something here.

I've got many reasons, I'm writing down the impact this evening.

Neither. I googled "Adult Autism Assessment Services" with my local area name and found out that for my area you can refer yourself without asking GP or mental health services. This is not the same in every area.

I'd spent years backwards and forwards to doctor ,one anti depressant after another ,none working .I happened to mention two of my DC have diagnosis and doctor suggested we start there .

You absolutely have a right to a diagnosis. Tell them you need it for legal protection against discrimination, it will allow you to access reasonable adjustments in the workplace, it will give you access to support and counselling, and access to PIP benefits if needed in later life.

My request to see GP about autism referral was ignored and so I self referred to local NHS autism service. I completed pre assessment questionnaires and then was put on waiting list. A short time later I was sent a letter from the NHS autism service offering me an NHS funded private assessment as they were making women over 40 a priority Whole experience took 6 months from start to finish.

I was referred on NHS (but diagnosed by Psychiatry UK via right to choose in the end) I was asked to complete the AQ50 by the GP as a starting point. I think this is because it not only gives a score out of 50, but also a result (for example 'significant Autistic traits') so it gives both yourself and the GP a starting point / reason for assessment.

Be honest when you complete it. That's the most important thing. I appreciate its difficult and onerous, but it is worth it to be heard and understood.

I had also been writing some notes about my life which I'd kept in an A4 ring binder. Stuff like I only ate 3 foods as a kid, wouldn't speak to strangers, hid behind the sofa when visitors called. I ended up with an almost book of my life. I also gave copies of this to the GP. Pretty sure she didn't read it, but it got the message across.

It was actually my former GP, who has known me since I was 16 (I'm now 44!) who suggested it to me and I was very fortunate to have his support.

I was diagnosed about 12 years ago.